The landscape of online income has transformed dramatically, with remote work opportunities showing unprecedented growth of 87% since 2020 (Remote.co). Those seeking substantial monthly earnings have more viable paths than ever, as demonstrated by the surge in six-figure remote positions across various industries. For those exploring high-paying freelance opportunities or looking to establish multiple income streams, reaching the $20,000 monthly milestone is increasingly achievable. Let's explore the most promising options!
Jump to
Summary Table
| Item Name | Price Range | Best For | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shopify Store | $29-$299/month | E-commerce Entrepreneurs | Visit Site |
| Software Developer/Engineer | $8,000-$15,000/month | Coding Professionals | Visit Site |
| Digital Marketing Director | $4,916-$13,666/month | Marketing Experts | Visit Site |
| Mobile App Developer | $4,833-$12,000/month | App Developers | Visit Site |
| Technical Support Manager | $5,083-$11,250/month | IT Professionals | Visit Site |
| UX Design Director | $9,166-$14,166/month | Design Leaders | Visit Site |
| Sales Engineering Manager | $10,833-$15,833/month | Technical Sales Pros | Visit Site |
| Freelance Technical Writer | $7,500-$11,666/month | Technical Writers | Visit Site |
| Social Media Manager | $4,833-$8,333/month | Social Media Experts | Visit Site |
| Online Personal Trainer | $3,680-$9,200/month | Fitness Professionals | Visit Site |
| Recruiter | $4,960-$12,400/month | HR Professionals | Visit Site |
| Professional Proofreading | $3,840-$7,680/month | Detail-Oriented Editors | Visit Site |
| WordPress Development | $3,500-$10,000/month | Web Developers | Visit Site |
Key Information
Below you'll find detailed information about each aspect, including important details and considerations.
Start selling on Shopify
Start for free, then enjoy your first month for $1. Learn more →
1. Shopify Store
Create your own e-commerce business that can generate $20,000+ monthly by selling products online. Shopify provides all the tools needed to build, manage, and scale an online store without technical expertise.
Key features:
- Start for $1/month for first 3 months, then $39/month Basic plan
- Built-in payment processing and shipping tools
- Customizable themes with no coding required
- 24/7 customer support and security features
2. Software Developer/Engineer
Earn $20,000+ monthly as a remote software developer through high-paying tech positions or freelance projects. Senior developers and specialists regularly command salaries exceeding $150,000 annually, with additional income through consulting or side projects. Check out our guide to top-paying freelance roles for more insights.
Income potential:
- Full-time positions: $100,000-$200,000+ annually
- Freelance rates: $75-150+ per hour
- Contract positions: $10,000-25,000 per month
3. Digital Marketing Director
Lead digital marketing strategies remotely while earning $20,000+ monthly in senior roles. Digital Marketing Directors oversee multichannel campaigns, manage teams, and drive revenue growth for companies worldwide.
Typical requirements:
- Salary range: $120,000-$180,000 annually
- 5+ years marketing management experience
- Additional income through consulting or agency work
4. Mobile App Developer
Create and publish mobile applications to generate substantial monthly income through app sales, in-app purchases, and advertising revenue. Experienced mobile developers can earn $20,000+ monthly by developing custom apps for clients or launching successful apps on the App Store and Google Play.
Key requirements:
- Programming skills in Swift (iOS) or Kotlin/Java (Android)
- Typical project rates: $5,000-$25,000 per app
- Portfolio of published apps helps secure high-paying clients
5. Technical Support Manager
Lead remote technical support teams while earning $20,000+ monthly through base salary and performance bonuses. This role combines technical expertise with team management, often allowing complete location independence. Visit our guide to high-paying remote jobs for more details.
Position details:
- Base salary range: $90,000-$135,000 annually
- Additional compensation through bonuses and profit sharing
- Manage 10-30 support specialists remotely
6. UX Design Director
Lead remote UX design teams to generate $20,000+ monthly income through high-level strategic design work and team management. Senior UX directors typically earn $110,000-$170,000 annually, with additional consulting opportunities pushing monthly earnings above target levels.
Key requirements:
- 8+ years UX design experience with 3+ years in leadership
- Portfolio demonstrating enterprise-level projects
- Team management and stakeholder communication skills
7. Sales Engineering Manager
Combine technical expertise with sales leadership to earn substantial income managing remote sales engineering teams. Base salaries range from $130,000-$180,000 annually, with commissions and bonuses regularly pushing monthly earnings above $20,000. Visit our guide on top-paying technical roles for more details.
Position highlights:
- Base salary plus commission structure (25-40% of base)
- Enterprise software focus with recurring revenue
- Remote team leadership opportunities
8. Freelance Technical Writer
Scale your income to $20,000 monthly by specializing in high-paying technical documentation for software companies and enterprise clients. Experienced technical writers command $100-150 per hour, with consistent work through multiple retainer clients.
Income potential:
- Software documentation: $85-150/hour
- API documentation: $90-175/hour
- Enterprise training materials: $95-160/hour
9. Social Media Manager
Social media managers can reach $20,000 monthly income by managing multiple high-paying client accounts or directing strategy for large brands. Top managers typically handle content creation, community engagement, and paid advertising campaigns across platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok.
Key requirements:
- Enterprise clients pay $3,000-8,000 per month per account
- Advanced analytics and paid advertising expertise
- Portfolio of successful campaign results
10. Online Personal Trainer
Experienced fitness professionals can earn $20,000+ monthly by building a large client base through virtual training sessions and digital programs. The key to reaching this income level is developing premium packages combining live video coaching, customized workout plans, and nutrition guidance. Check out our guide on top-paying freelance opportunities for more details.
Income potential:
- Individual sessions: $75-150 per hour
- Monthly coaching packages: $300-1,000 per client
- Digital course sales: $97-497 per enrollment
11. Recruiter
Remote recruiters can generate $20,000 monthly through placement fees and retainer contracts with multiple clients. Top performers specialize in high-demand fields like technology or executive search, where single placements can yield $10,000-30,000 in commission.
Earning structure:
- Placement fees: 15-25% of candidate's first-year salary
- Retainer contracts: $5,000-15,000 per month per client
- Performance bonuses for quick placements
12. Professional Proofreading
Leverage your strong grammar and attention to detail to earn up to $20,000 monthly proofreading documents remotely. With experience and a steady client base through platforms like Proofed, skilled proofreaders can command $50-75 per hour reviewing academic papers, business documents, and manuscripts.
Key requirements:
- Professional certification recommended ($200-500 investment)
- Minimum 2-3 years experience for top-tier rates
- Strong portfolio and client testimonials
13. WordPress Development
Build location-independent income creating and maintaining WordPress websites, with experienced developers earning $75-150 per hour. As highlighted in our guide to high-paying freelance work, WordPress developers who specialize in custom themes and plugins can reach $20,000+ monthly through retainer clients and project work.
Income potential:
- Custom theme development: $2,000-5,000 per project
- Monthly maintenance packages: $500-2,000 per client
- Plugin development: $1,500-10,000 per project
Final Words
With these 13 proven methods to make $20,000 per month online, from low-cost entry points like freelancing and dropshipping to more substantial investments in e-commerce and digital course creation, you have multiple paths to choose from based on your skills and resources. Select the option that best aligns with your expertise, start with thorough research and planning, and remember that building a sustainable online income typically requires patience, consistent effort, and continuous learning.
Start selling on Shopify
Start for free, then enjoy your first month for $1. Learn more →
Related Articles
Frequently Asked Questions About Making $20,000 a Month Online
What are the highest-paying online career paths that can earn $20,000 monthly?
The highest-paying online careers include Software Developer/Engineer ($100K+ annually), Product Marketing Director ($120K-$180K), and Sales Engineering Manager ($130K-$190K). Technical roles generally offer the most reliable path to earning $20,000+ monthly, especially in senior or management positions.
Can freelancing lead to earning $20,000 per month?
Yes, freelancing can reach $20,000 monthly through roles like Technical Writing ($90K-$140K with multiple clients), Mobile App Development ($58K-$144K), and WordPress Development. Success typically requires building a strong client base and taking on multiple concurrent projects.
What digital marketing roles can earn $20,000 monthly?
Digital Marketing Director positions can earn between $59K-$164K annually, scaling to $20,000 monthly in senior roles. Social Media Management can also reach this income level through managing multiple clients or agency work.
Which remote management positions offer $20,000+ monthly potential?
Technical Support Manager ($61K-$135K), UX Design Director ($110K-$170K), and Sales Engineering Manager ($130K-$190K) offer strong potential for $20,000+ monthly earnings. These positions typically include base salary plus bonuses and sometimes equity compensation.
